Modular jack

ABSTRACT

A first terminal block having first terminals to be in contact with terminals of a plug is incorporated in a housing. The first terminals are exposed to an internal space portion  1   e  of the housing, while the rear ends of the first terminals project at the rear of the block. A second terminal block has second terminals to be connected to a motherboard the modular jack should be attached to. Electronic parts a are mounted on an internal board. The internal board includes through-hole-like terminals or notch-like terminals to which the first and second terminals and should be soldered. Winding terminals of winding parts are inserted and soldered to through holes of the internal board.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a modular jack including electronicparts therein, and particularly relates to an RJ-45 type modular jack tobe used for connecting a LAN cable.

2. Discussion of the Background

For example, a related-art modular jack is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,319,064. This modular jack is arranged so that a terminal block isincorporated in a housing having an internal space to which a plugshould be inserted, and a block that receives electronic parts isincorporated in the terminal block.

The terminal block includes not only first terminals to be brought intocontact with terminals of a plug but also second terminals to beconnected to a motherboard. The block has a box-like shape that isincorporated on the back surface side of the housing, and that is openedon the housing side (front) for receiving the electronic parts. Theupper surface of the block is formed as a connection portion to thefirst terminals, while the lower surface of the block is formed as aconnection portion to the second terminals. The block receiving theelectronic parts is mounted on a bottom plate portion of the terminalblock extending at the rear thereof, and incorporated in the bottomplate portion. Then, winding terminals of the electronic parts arefitted into a groove provided at the upper opening edge of the block anda groove provided at the lower opening edge of the block respectively.The winding terminals fitted into the grooves are soldered with the rearend portions of the first terminals, and the second terminals, in theupper and lower surface portions of the block receiving the electronicparts, respectively.

In addition, another related-art modular jack having a differentstructure from that of U.S. Pat. No. 6,319,064 is also known. In thisstructure, in order to make assembling easier, not only electronic partsbut also a modular jack are mounted on one board, and the board with themodular jack is covered with upper and lower covers (see Japanese PatentPublication No. Hei-5-341 51(1993)).

In the modular jack disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,319,064, there is aproblem that the soldering work is difficult particularly due to thestructure in which the block receiving the electronic parts is mountedon and soldered with the second terminals to be connected to amotherboard. Particularly, when the electronic parts include a windingpart such as a transformer or a common mode choke coil as describedabove, there is a problem that soldering becomes more difficult becausethe soldering has to be performed while the second terminals and thewinding terminals are aligned with each other.

On the other hand, in the structure disclosed in Japanese PatentPublication Hei-5-3415, there is a problem that the total structureincluding the modular jack becomes large in size.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In consideration of the foregoing problems belonging to the related art,it is an object of the invention to provide a modular jack which isassembled easily and which can be arranged in a small size.

According to the invention, there is provided a modular jack including:a housing having an internal space into which a plug should be inserted;a first terminal block incorporated in the housing and integrallyprovided with first terminals to be in contact with terminals of theplug, so that front portions of the first terminals are exposed to theinternal space, while rear ends of the first terminals project at therear of the first terminal block; a second terminal block having secondterminals to be connected with a mother board the modular jack should beattached to; and an internal board mounted with electronic parts andincluding through-hole-like or notch-like terminals to which the firstand second terminals should be soldered.

When the electronic parts are mounted thus on the internal board, andthe first and second terminals are soldered with the internal board,assembling becomes easy. In addition, the modular jack is not mounted onthe board mounted with the electronic parts but arranged so that theterminal block is incorporated in the housing, and the internal board iscoupled with the terminal block. Thus, the modular jack can be arrangedin a small size.

The modular jack according to the invention is suitably applicable tothe case where the electronic parts include at least one of a commonmode choke coil and a transformer.

The modular jack according to the invention is suitably applicable tothe case where the electronic parts include at least one of a resistor,a capacitor and a light emitting diode.

When the electronic parts include a winding part in the modular jackaccording to the invention, it is preferable that the internal board hasthrough holes to which terminals of the winding parts are inserted andsoldered. When the winding terminals are inserted into the through holesand soldered therewith in advance independently of the terminals of themodular jack, the work of soldering the winding terminals becomes easy.

The modular jack according to the invention can adopt a structure inwhich the second terminal block is incorporated on the back surface sideof the housing, while the internal board is provided between the firstterminal block and the second terminal block.

Such a structure is advantageous in view of the number of parts becausethe second terminal block serves as a cover for covering the includedparts.

As another structure of a combination of constituent parts of a modularjack according to the invention, it is possible to adopt a structure inwhich: the first terminal block and the second terminal block arereceived and incorporated in the housing so that connection portions ofthe first and second terminals to the internal board project rearward;the connection portions of the first and second terminals are insertedand soldered to the through-hole-like or notch-like terminals of theinternal board; and a cover covering the internal board therewith isprovided on the back surface side of the housing.

With such a structure, the work of soldering between the internal boardand the first terminals and between the second terminals and theinternal board can be carried out at one time. Thus, the assembling workcan be performed efficiently.

In the modular jack according to the invention, it is preferable that: aplurality of through-hole-like or notch-like terminals to which thefirst terminals are inserted and soldered are arrayed in an upperportion of the internal board; and a plurality of through-hole-like ornotch-like terminals to which the second terminals are inserted andsoldered are arrayed in a lower portion of the internal board.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1E show an embodiment of a modular jack according to theinvention, FIG. 1A being a front view, FIG. 1B being a plan view, FIG.1C being a back view, FIG. 1D being a side view, FIG. 1E being a bottomview.

FIGS. 2A-2F show a housing constituting the modular jack shown in FIGS.1A-1E, FIG. 2A being a front view, FIG. 2B being a plan view, FIG. 2Cbeing a back view, FIG. 2D being a side view, FIG. 2E being a bottomview, FIG. 2F being a sectional view taken on line Y—Y in FIG. 2A.

FIGS. 3A-3C show a first terminal block constituting the modular jackshown in FIGS. 1A-1E, FIG. 3A being a plan view, FIG. 3B being a sideview, FIG. 3C being a bottom view.

FIGS. 4A-4F show a second terminal block constituting the modular jackshown in FIGS. 1A-1E, FIG. 4A being a front view, FIG. 4B being a planview, FIG. 4C being a back view, FIG. 4D being a side view, FIG. 4Ebeing a bottom view, FIG. 4F being a sectional view showing thestructure in which a second terminal is attached.

FIGS. 5A-5B show an internal board constituting the modular jack shownin FIGS. 1A-1E, FIG. 5A being a front view, FIG. 5B being a back view.

FIGS. 6A-6B show the modular jack shown in FIGS. 1A-1E, FIG. 6A being asectional view, FIG. 6B being a side view showing the state where themodular jack is being assembled.

FIGS. 7A-7F show constituent parts in another embodiment of the modularjack according to the invention, FIG. 7A being a side view of a housing,FIG. 7B being a side view of a first terminal block, FIG. 7C being aside view of a second terminal block, FIG. 7D being a side view of aninternal board mounted with electronic parts, FIG. 7E being a front viewof FIG. 7D, FIG. 7F being a side view of a cover.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the modular jack shown in FIGS. 7A-7E.

FIG. 9 is a equivalent circuit diagram of an example of the internalcircuit board of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1A-1E show an embodiment of a modular jack according to theinvention. FIG. 1A is a front view; FIG. 1B, a plan view; FIG. 1C, abackview; FIG. 1D, a side view; and FIG. 1E, a bottom view. This modularjack is constituted by a housing 1, a first terminal block 3 havingfirst terminals 2, a second terminal block 5 having second terminals 4,and an internal board 6 to be mounted with electronic parts.

FIGS. 2A-2F show the housing 1. FIG. 2A is a front view; FIG. 2B, a planview; FIG. 2C, a back view; FIG. 2D, a side view; FIG. 2E, a bottomview; and FIG. 2F, a sectional view taken on line Y—Y in FIG. 2A. Asillustrated in these views, the housing 1 has a bottom plate portion 1a, left and right side plate portions 1 b, and a bridging portion 1 cfor linking the upper front portions of the left and right side plateportions 1 b and 1 b with each other. In addition, the housing 1 has anintermediate wall 1 d rising upward from the bottom plate portion 1 a.Thus, an internal space portion 1 e into which a not-shown plug shouldbe inserted is formed in the portion surrounded by the bottom plateportion 1 a, the side plate portions 1 b, the bridging portion 1 c andthe intermediate wall 1 d.

A plurality of grooves 1 f to which the first terminals 2 should befitted are provided on the top of the intermediate wall 1 d. Inaddition, protrusions 1 g for preventing the first terminal block 3 fromdropping off are provided on the opposite sides of the top of theintermediate wall 1 d. In addition, a groove 1 h to which the firstterminal block 3 should be slide-fitted is provided in the inner surfaceof the upper portion of each side plate portion 1 b. A plurality ofrecess portions 1 i to which the front end portions of the firstterminals 2 should be fitted fixedly are provided in the rear surface ofthe bridging portion 1 c.

A recess portion 1 j with which the second terminal block 5 should belinked is provided in the outer surface of each side plate portion 1 bso as to extend forward from its rear end. A protrusion 1 k forpreventing the second terminal block 5 from dropping off is provided ineach recess portion 1 j. In addition, a link piece 1 m for fixing thesecond terminal block 5 is provided in the rear portion of each sideplate portion 1 b so as to project rearward from the lower portion ofthe side plate portion lb. A groove 1 n is provided in the surfaceopposite to each link piece 1 m.

The bottom plate portion 1 a has pins 1 p for fixing the housing 1 to anot-shown motherboard.

FIGS. 3A-3C show the first terminal block 3. FIG. 3A is a plan view;FIG. 3B, a side view; and FIG. 3C, a bottom view. The first terminalblock 3 is made from resin, having intermediate portions of the firstterminals 2 embedded integrally with the block 3. The first terminals 2are to be brought into contact with terminals of a not-shown plug to beinserted into the internal space portion 1 e of the housing 1, so as tobe connected to the internal board 6. To this end, each first terminal 2is bent rearward at the portion projecting from the front end of thefirst terminal block 3, so as to form a contact portion 2 a to be incontact with its corresponding terminal of the plug. In addition, therear portion of each first terminal 2 is made to project rearward fromthe rear end of the first terminal block 3, so as to form a connectionportion 2 b to be connected with the internal board 6. In addition,linear protrusions 3 a for slide-fitting to the groove 1 h of thehousing 1 are provided on the opposite sides of the first terminal block3. In addition, protrusions 3 b to be locked in the protrusions 1 g ofthe housing 1 are provided on the opposite sides of the lower surface ofthe first terminal block 3.

FIGS. 4A-4F show the second terminal block 5. FIG. 4A is a front view;FIG. 4B, a plan view; FIG. 4C, a back view; FIG. 4D, a side view; FIG.4E, a bottom view; and FIG. 4F, a sectional view showing the structurein which a second terminal is assembled. The second terminal block 5 hasa plurality of second terminals 4 incorporated in a bottom plate portion5 a. The second terminals 4 serve to establish connection between theinternal board 6 and a not-shown motherboard. Each second terminal 4 hasan L-shape. As shown in FIGS. 4E and 4F, a horizontal portion of thesecond terminal 4 is inserted into a hole 5 b provided in the bottomplate portion 5 a of the second terminal block 5 so as to extend in thefront/rear direction, and a vertical portion of the second terminal 4 isfitted to the groove 5 c. Thus, the second terminal 4 is fixed to thesecond terminal block S.

The second terminal block 5 has a box-like shape whose front is openedto receive electronic parts. In addition, an opening (5 d) is alsoprovided on the top of the second terminal block 5 so that the internalboard 6 and the first terminals 2 can be soldered with each otherthrough the opening (5 d).

In the second terminal block 5, link pieces 5 e for slide-fitting to therecess portions 1 j provided in the outer surfaces of the side plateportions 1 b of the housing 1 are formed to project forward from theopposite sides of the front of the second terminal block 5. In addition,holes 5 f to be fitted to the protrusions 1 k in the recess portions 1 jin order to prevent the second terminal block 5 from dropping off areprovided in the link pieces 5 e respectively.

Linear protrusions 5 g for slide-fitting to the grooves 1 n of the linkpieces 1 m of the housing 1 are provided on the opposite sides of thebottom plate portion 5 a.

FIG. 5A shows the front surface of the internal board 6, and FIG. 5Bshows the rear surface of the internal board 6. In the upper portion ofthe internal board 6, through-hole-like terminals 6 a are arrayed, towhich the connection portions 2 b at the rear ends of the firstterminals 2 should be inserted and soldered. In addition, in the lowerportion of the internal board 6, through-hole-like terminals 6 b arearrayed, to which the second terminals 4 should be inserted andsoldered. In this embodiment, as the electronic parts to be mounted, acapacitor 7 a and resistors 7 b are mounted on the front surface of theinternal board 6, and transformers 7 c and common mode choke coils 7 dare mounted on the rear surface of the internal board 6 so as to be ashigh as the mean height of the internal board 6.

An equivalent circuit diagram of the present embodiment is shown in FIG.9.

The winding terminals 8 of the transformers 7 c and the common modechoke coils 7 d which are winding parts are inserted into the throughholes 6 c provided between these parts 7 c and 7 d and thethrough-hole-like terminals 6 a in the upper portion or the throughholes 6 d provided between these electronic parts 7 c and 7 d and thethrough-hole-like terminals 6 b in the lower portion, and solderedtherein. As shown in FIG. 5A, a conductor pattern 9 establishes suitableconnections between the electronic parts 7 a and 7 b or between theelectronic parts 7 a and 7 b and the through-hole-like terminals 6 a and6 b or the through holes 6 c and 6 d.

When this modular jack is assembled, the electronic parts 7 a to 7 d arefixed to the internal board 6 in advance by soldering. In this case, theterminals 8 of the transformers 7 c and the common mode choke coils 7 dwhich are winding parts can be soldered through the through holes 6 cand 6 d easily.

As for the first terminal block 3, the linear protrusions 3 a on theopposite sides of the first terminal block 3 are slide-fitted into thegrooves 1 h of the housing 1, and the protrusions 3 b on the lowersurface of the first terminal block 3 are locked in the protrusions 1 gof the housing 1 (see the sectional view of FIG. 6A). Thus, the firstterminal block 3 is received fixedly in the top opening portion of thehousing 1. FIG. 6B shows this state.

On the other hand, the terminals 4 of the second terminal block 5 areinserted into the through-hole-like terminals 6 b arrayed in the lowerportion of the internal board 6, and soldered therein in advance, asshown in FIG. 6B. Then, as soon as the second terminal block 5 isincorporated in the housing 1, the first terminals 2 are inserted intothe through-hole-like terminals 6 a arrayed in the upper portion of theinternal board 6. At the same time, the link pieces 5 e on the oppositesides of the second terminal block 5 are fitted into the recess portions1 j of the side plate portions 1 b of the housing 1 so that the holes 5f of the link pieces 5 e are fitted to the protrusions 1 k. Thus, thesecond terminal block 5 fixed to the housing 1 is prevented fromdropping off. At the same time, the linear protrusions 5 g on theopposite sides of the bottom plate portion 5 a of the second terminalblock 5 are fitted into the grooves 1 n of the link pieces 1 m of thehousing 1 so as to fix the bottom portion of the second terminal block 5to the housing 1. After that, the first terminals 2 are soldered to thethrough-hole-like terminals 6 a by means of a soldering iron or the likeinserted from the top opening portion of the second terminal block 5.

Incidentally, the modular jack assembled thus is covered with anot-shown shielding metal cover. Excepting a front opening for receivingthe connector plug and a bottom surface, all outer surfaces are coveredby the metal cover.

In such a manner, the terminal block is divided into two blocks 3 and 5on the plug terminal contact side and on the mother board connectionside. As a result, in comparison with the case where the terminal blockis integrated into one block, the degree of freedom in assemblingstructure is increased so that the modular jack can be miniaturizedwhile assembling becomes easy.

In addition, since the through-hole-like terminals 6 a and 6 b makingconnection with the terminals 2 and 4 are provided in the internal board6, the terminals 2 and 4 can be connected easily. Further, since theelectronic parts 7 a to 7 d are not received into any block but mountedon the internal board 6, assembling becomes easy. In addition, incomparison with the case where the modular jack is mounted on a board, aconnection device including the modular jack can be miniaturized.

In addition, since the electronic parts 7 a to 7 d are mounted on theinternal board 6, and the first and second terminals 2 and 4 aresoldered with the internal board 6, assembling becomes easy. Inaddition, the modular jack is not mounted on the board mounted with theelectronic parts but arranged so that the terminal blocks 3 and 5 arelinked with the housing 1 of the modular jack, and the internal board 6is linked with the terminal blocks 3 and 5. Thus, the modular jack canbe arranged in a small size.

When the electronic parts 7 c and 7 d are winding parts, the windingterminals 8 are inserted into the through holes 6 c and 6 d, andsoldered therein in advance. Then, the terminals 2 and 4 are solderedwith the internal board 6 in another process. Thus, not only the work ofsoldering the winding terminals 8 but also the work of soldering theterminals 2 and 4 to the internal board become easy.

FIGS. 7A-7F are views showing constituent parts in another embodiment ofthe modular jack according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is asectional view showing the state where the modular jack has beenassembled. In this embodiment, a first terminal block 30 having firstterminals 2 and a second terminal block 50 having second terminals 4 areincorporated in a housing 10. A link structure similar to that of theaforementioned embodiment can be adopted as the structure for linkingthe first terminal block 30 with the housing 10. That is, linearprotrusions 30 a provided on the opposite sides of the first terminalblock 30 are slide-fitted into not-shown grooves provided in the innersurfaces of side plates of the housing 10, while protrusions 30 b of thefirst block 30 are locked in protrusions 10 g provided in the topportion of an intermediate wall 10 d of the housing 10 d so as toprevent the first terminal block 30 from dropping off.

On the other hand, the following structure is adopted as the structurefor linking the second terminal block 50 with the housing 10. That is,protrusions 50 a of the side surfaces of the second terminal block 50are slide-fitted into not-shown grooves provided in the inner surfacesof side plate portions of the housing 10, while protrusions 50 b of thesecond terminal block 50 are locked in protrusions 10 q provided in theintermediate wall 10 d of the housing 10 d so as to prevent the secondterminal block 50 from dropping off. The reference numeral 10 prepresents a pin for fixing the housing 10 to a mother board.

The reference numeral 60 represents an internal board. An electronicpart 7 e which is a winding part such as a transformer or a common modechoke coil, and electronic parts 7 f and 7 g such as capacitors orresistors are mounted on the internal board 60. Notch-like terminals 60a and 60 b are provided in the upper and lower edges of the internalboard 60. In addition, the internal board 60 has through holes 60 c and60 d to which winding terminals 8 of the winding part should be insertedand soldered. The reference numeral 9 represents a conductor pattern forestablishing suitable connections among the electronic parts 7 e to 7 g,the through holes 60 c and 60 d, and the terminals 60 a and 60 b.

The reference numeral 11 represents a cover having a structure whosefront is open to be linked with a rear portion of the housing 10. Astructure similar to the linking structure of the second terminal block5 in the aforementioned embodiment can be adopted as the structure forlinking the cover 11 with the housing 10. That is, link pieces 11 e ofthe cover 11 are fitted into recess portions 10 j of side surfaces ofthe housing 10, and holes 11 f of the link pieces 11 e are fitted toprotrusions 10 k of the recess portions 10 j. Thus, the cover 11 isprevented from dropping off.

When the modular jack according to this embodiment is assembled, thefirst and second terminal blocks 30 and 50 are incorporated in thehousing 10 in advance. Then, the internal board 60 mounted with theelectronic parts 7 e to 7 g is mounted and soldered so that the firstand second terminals 2 and 4 are fitted to the notch-like terminals 60 aand 60 b respectively. After that, the cover 11 is attached to thehousing 10 from its rear so as to cover the internal board 60 therewith.

With such a structure, the work of soldering between the internal board60 and the first terminals 2 and between the internal board 60 and thesecond terminals 4 can be carried out at one time. Thus, the assemblingwork can be performed efficiently.

When the invention is carried out, electronic parts to be mounted on theinternal board may include electronic parts such as light emittingdiodes if necessary. When light emitting diodes are mounted, only acircuit pattern thereof maybe provided on the internal board 6 or 60,while a body portion thereof is provided in the housing 1 or 10, or thelike.

As has been described above, according to the invention, it is possibleto provide a modular jack which is easy to assemble and which can beminiaturized.

1. A modular jack comprising: a housing having an internal space intowhich a plug should be inserted; a first terminal block incorporated insaid housing and integrally provided with first terminals to be incontact with terminals of the plug, so that front portions of said firstterminals are exposed to said internal space, while rear ends of saidfirst terminals project at the rear of said first terminal block; asecond terminal block having second terminals to be connected with amotherboard to which the modular jack is attached; and an internal boardmounted with electronic parts and including through-hole-like ornotch-like terminals to which said first and second terminals aresoldered, wherein said second terminal block is incorporated on a backsurface side of said housing, while said internal board is providedbetween said first terminal block and said second terminal block.
 2. Amodular jack according to claim 1, wherein said electronic parts includeat least one of a common mode choke coil and a transformer.
 3. A modularjack according to claim 1, wherein said electronic parts include atleast one of a resistor, a capacitor and a light emitting diode.
 4. Amodular jack according to claim 1, wherein said electronic parts includea winding part; and said internal board has through holes to whichterminals of said winding parts are inserted and soldered.
 5. A modularjack according to claim 1, wherein said first terminals project outdirectly rearward from said first terminal block and said secondterminals are L-shaped.
 6. A modular jack according to claim 1, furthercomprising a metal cover covering outer surfaces of the modular jack. 7.A modular jack according to claim 1, wherein a plurality ofthrough-hole-like or notch-like terminals to which said first terminalsare inserted and soldered are arrayed in an upper portion of saidinternal board; and a plurality of through-hole-like or notch-liketerminals to which said second terminals are inserted and soldered arearrayed in a lower portion of said internal board.
 8. A modular jackcomprising: a housing having an internal space into which a plug shouldbe inserted; a first terminal block incorporated in said housing andintegrally provided with first terminals to be in contact with terminalsof the plug, so that front portions of said first terminals are exposedto said internal space, while rear ends of said first terminals projectat the rear of said first terminal block; a second terminal block havingsecond terminals to be connected with a motherboard to which the modularjack is attached; and an internal board mounted with electronic partsand including through-hole-like or notch-like terminals to which saidfirst and second terminals are soldered, wherein said first terminalblock and said second terminal block are received and incorporated insaid housing so that connection portions of said first and secondterminals to said internal board project rearward; said connectionportions of said first and second terminals are inserted and soldered tosaid through-hole-like or notch-like terminals of said internal board;and a cover covering said internal board therewith is provided on theback surface side of said housing.